Saturday’s 39th running of the $1 million, Grade 1 Woodbine Mile, which provides an automatic berth into the FanDuel Breeders’ Cup Mile Presented by PDJF, drew a field of eight older males.
With a record-breaking season comes the attention of turf writers, so Manny Franco was not surprised when I came calling for an interview. However, like many riders, he prefers to do his talking on the track.
“I’m a little bit shy of big cameras and stuff and talking to the media, but I do it,” Franco laughed. “It’s part of the job.”
Fillies and mares will compete for a “Win and You’re In” berth into the Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf in Saturday’s Grade 1 E. P. Taylor Stakes going 1 ¼ miles on turf at Woodbine. The E. P.
Saturday’s Grade 1 Johnnie Walker Natalma Stakes at Woodbine is Canada’s most prestigious event for 2-year-old fillies. The one-mile turf race is a “Win and You’re In” qualifier for the Grade 1 John Deere Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, so there’s a lot at stake.
The bet365 Summer Stakes offers a “Win and You’re In” berth to the Brown Advisory Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf, and it’s usually a good betting race that attracts promising 2-year-old turf runners from around North America and often from overseas.
